100 Years of Business Heritage

What is Sherardizing?

Durable. Uniform. Resilient.

Sherardizing is a thermo-chemical process that heats steel or iron components with zinc powder, forming a durable zinc-iron alloy coating. This method offers exceptional corrosion resistance, making it ideal for harsh environments, while ensuring uniform coverage, even on complex geometries and internal surfaces.

With superior adhesion, it prevents chipping or peeling, enhancing long-term performance.

As a cadmium-free and sustainable alternative to traditional galvanizing, sherardizing provides an eco-friendly solution for robust metal protection.

Sherardizing Process Benefits

At Specialist Metallic Coatings (SMC), our Sherardizing process provides unrivalled protection and durability for metal components. This zinc diffusion coating technique offers several key benefits, making it the ideal choice for industries requiring long-term corrosion resistance and high-performance coatings.

Exceptional Corrosion Resistance

Sherardizing forms a zinc-iron alloy coating that offers superior protection against rust, moisture, and harsh environments, making it ideal for automotive, rail, and offshore applications.

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Uniform Coating for Complex Parts

Unlike traditional galvanising, Sherardizing ensures even coverage across all surfaces, including internal threads, recesses, and intricate geometries, without clogging or distortion.

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Strong Adhesion & Wear Resistance

The zinc diffusion layer bonds metallurgically to the substrate, creating a robust coating that resists chipping, flaking, and mechanical wear.

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Hydrogen Embrittlement-Free

Unlike electroplating, Sherardizing does not introduce hydrogen embrittlement, preserving the structural integrity of high-strength steels and critical components.

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Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Solution

Our Sherardizing process is cadmium-free and produces minimal waste, making it an environmentally responsible alternative to other coating methods.

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Enhanced Compatibility with Other Coatings

Sherardized components can be further treated with additional coatings such as zinc phosphate, passivation, and duplex coatings, enhancing their performance and lifespan.

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Precision.

Protection. Performance.

Precision.

Precision.

Beyond Sherardizing

Comprehensive Metal Coating Solutions

In addition to sherardizing, we provide a comprehensive range of metal coating processes tailored for superior protection and performance. Our offerings include zinc phosphate coatings for improved paint adhesion and corrosion resistance, passivation to prevent oxidation and extend component lifespan, and zinc flake coatings for high-level corrosion protection without hydrogen embrittlement. We also specialize in barrel zinc plating, an efficient solution for high-volume small parts, and duplex coatings that combine multiple layers for enhanced durability. At SMC Wolverhampton, we are dedicated to delivering industry-leading solutions that ensure strength, longevity, and reliability for your critical components.

Applications of Sherardizing

Our Sherardizing process is widely used in industries requiring high-performance protective coatings, including:

Automotive

Bolts, brackets, and structural components exposed to road salts and moisture.

Rail & Infrastructure

Fasteners, couplings, and metal parts subjected to heavy-duty conditions.

Defence & Aerospace

Components requiring precision coatings for extreme durability.

Oil & Gas

Parts exposed to corrosive offshore and industrial environments.

Infrastructure & Construction

Fasteners for tunnel linings (London Ring Main, Jubilee Line, Channel Tunnel).

Mining

Roof support hinge pins for underground operations.

Submarine Telecommunications

Bend limiters and universal joints for deep-sea cables.

Customer Approvals

We provided a high-performance coating solution for a leading blue-chip company, enhancing durability and reducing maintenance. Our quality assurance ensured superior results, strengthening the client’s trust and securing ongoing collaboration.

“Specialist Metallic Coatings delivered exceptional results, reducing maintenance costs and improving durability. Their expertise makes them a trusted partner.”

Enhanced Protection & Additional Treatments

Beyond the standard passivated Sherardized finish, we offer a range of additional treatments to further enhance corrosion resistance, improve aesthetics, or regulate friction. Options include stains, paints, specialised lubricants, sealants, and organic (duplex) coatings, delivering up to 500+ hours of salt spray resistance.

Key Properties

  • › Long-term sacrificial environmental protection
  • › Uniform zinc/iron alloy diffusion for consistent coverage
  • › Excellent protection for complex and recessed components
  • › High wear and abrasion resistance

Other Properties

  • › No risk of hydrogen embrittlement
  • › Matt grey textured surface, ideal for paint adhesion
  • › Low-temperature processing, suitable for sintered materials
  • › Dry application process for optimal efficiency

Next Steps...

Protect Your Components with Industry-Leading Sherardizing

Enhance durability, corrosion resistance, and performance with our advanced Sherardizing solutions. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and discover how our expertise can benefit your industry.

Innovative. Defined.

Innovative. Defined.

Working around the clock,
around the world,
in all industries.

As industry leaders, Specialist Metallic Coatings provide professional, innovative, and unbiased solutions when it comes to metal coating systems. See below our buiness statisitics.

106,043

Components made in 24 hours

2,043

Partnerships around the world

100

Years of business & experience